Packers' first day of minicamp filled with plenty of highlights
The Green Bay Packers kicked off mandatory minicamp Tuesday after an "exceptional" spring, according to head coach Matt LaFleur. "I really thought the work that the guys that were here throughout the course of the OTAs was exceptional. Really [in] all three phases," LaFleur told reporters Tuesday. "I feel like we're in a pretty good […]
The Green Bay Packers kicked off mandatory minicamp Tuesday after an "exceptional" spring, according to head coach Matt LaFleur.
"I really thought the work that the guys that were here throughout the course of the OTAs was exceptional. Really [in] all three phases," LaFleur told reporters Tuesday. "I feel like we're in a pretty good spot, right now… Our practice standards are exceptional. I think the work ethic has been great and… all the things our guys are in total control of, have been outstanding."
Sure enough, that exceptional work bled over into the first day of camp. Let's check out some of the reports from Tuesday's session.
The highlight of the day belongs to Jordan Love and Samori Toure
Love connected with Toure on a deep pass down the right sideline and man, does Toure make one hell of a catch. It's shorts and t-shirts, but these are the plays the former seventh-rounder needs to make if he wants to beat out rookie WR Jayden Reed for the slot position.
Here's an even better angle:
Love and rookie tight end Musgrave looked good
The Packers are going to lean on their rookie tight ends (as long as they're ready, of course) and their tight ends, in general, so it was nice to hear that Love and Musgrave connected a couple of times.
Musgrave even made a play over Rudy Ford, who is currently the leading candidate to win the starting safety spot opposite Darnell Savage:
Don't worry, Love hit Christian Watson for a big play, too
This is what we love to hear.
And the Love-Romeo Doubs connection was still on point
Like Watson, they got the best of Jaire Alexander, who is easily -and obviously- the best corner on the team and the best player in the secondary. Again, it's early, but to see the second-year wideouts -along with Love- make big plays on one of the defense's best players is really encouraging.
Alexander didn't let the rookie Reed beat him, though
He's the best corner for a reason, so you know he's eventually going to pick it up. Welcome to the NFL, Jayden Reed!
Anders Carlson made some big kicks
He missed a 44-yard attempt during his first three kicks, but proceeded to nail field goals of 49-, 51- and 54-yards. Those last makes brought him to 5-of-6 on the day as he showed off that big leg the Packers coaches have talked about his offseason.
Finally, these players opened camp with the 1s
The most notable pairing is that of Preston Smith and Justin Hollins. It's intriguing to see him there instead of Lukas Van Ness. This obviously isn't anything permanent, by any means. But it's certainly something to monitor over the next couple of days and into training camp.
Outside of that, everything is about as expected.
What to watch for during Packers mandatory minicamp
The Packers are full of questions, but fortunately, they have plenty of potential answers.
Featured image via Samantha Madar/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
